Indonesian Government Gives Google a Red Mark: Faces Harsher Sanctions if It Ignores PP Tunas
The Indonesian government has officially issued a negative evaluation and initial sanctions to the technology company Google, as the manager of the YouTube platform. This is because Google is deemed not to have shown commitment to complying with the latest regulations regarding child protection in the digital space.
Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid emphasised that the latest evaluation results indicate non-compliance by YouTube with the applicable rules.
“The government has given a red mark to Google, which oversees YouTube. Based on the inspection results by the Director General of Digital Space Supervision on 7 April, it was found that YouTube has not fulfilled its compliance obligations and has not or has not indicated intent in the near future to follow the applicable law,” said Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Office, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (9/4).
This step is related to the implementation of Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 on the Protection and Governance of Electronic System Operators in Child Protection, known as PP Tunas. In this policy, the government emphasises the importance of digital platforms’ responsibility in safeguarding users, particularly children.
As a follow-up, the government has firmly imposed sanctions on Google in accordance with the applicable legal provisions in Indonesia.
In the derivative regulation, namely Minister of Communication and Digital Regulation Number 9 of 2026, it is explained that digital platforms that do not comply with the regulations may be subject to various administrative sanctions. These sanctions include written reprimands, temporary access restrictions, up to permanent service termination.
Referring to the sanction stages that have been regulated, the government is currently issuing an initial reprimand to Google through an official letter from the Director General of Digital Space Supervision.
“Of course, the sanctions are gradual, while still hoping for a change in attitude from Google’s side, and for today we are giving a warning letter,” said Meutya.
On the other hand, a different condition is shown by Meta, the company that oversees Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. The government has given appreciation because Meta is deemed to have complied with the provisions of PP Tunas, including in limiting access for users under 16 years old.
As of Thursday at 17:50 WIB, three digital platform companies have been recorded as fully complying with the regulation, namely Meta (Threads, Instagram, Facebook), X, and Bigo Live.
For information, PP Tunas has been in effect since 28 March 2026 and in the initial stage covers eight major digital platforms. These platforms include Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X, Bigo Live, YouTube, TikTok, and Roblox.